Cats are often seen as independent and aloof creatures, but some of them enjoy playing fetch with their owners just like dogs do. A new study has shed some light on this surprising behavior, which may have more to do with hunting than bonding.
Researchers surveyed hundreds of cat owners who reported that their pets play fetch. They found that most cats learned the game on their own, without any intentional training from their owners. They also discovered that cats prefer to play with small, light-weight objects that they can carry in their mouths, such as toys, crumpled paper, or hair ties.
The study published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. The researchers wanted to understand how common it is, what motivates it, and how it differs from dogs.
“In cats, we are not so sure whether fetching is a social bonding activity for them or whether they are trying to get us to simply throw an object for their entertainment or perhaps both,” said an animal psychologist who led the study.
The researchers found that almost all the respondents, about 94%, said their cat wasn’t trained to play fetch. “It shows that more cats have the capability to play fetch than perhaps previously thought,” the animal psychologist said.
Some owners discovered that their cat enjoys fetch by accident, such as when their cat retrieved a piece of paper that missed the trash can. Others noticed that their cat would bring them objects and wait for them to throw them again.
However, the researchers also noted that cats may enjoy playing fetch for other reasons, such as curiosity, boredom, or attention-seeking. They also found that cats were more likely to initiate the game and play longer when they did so, indicating that they were in control of the situation.
The researchers hope that their study will inspire more research on cats’ cognitive and social abilities, as well as their welfare and enrichment. They also encourage cat owners to try playing fetch with their feline friends, as long as they respect their preferences and boundaries.
Relevant articles:
– According to a new research some cats play fetch like dogs but mostly on their own terms and they appear to pick up the playful behavior spontaneously, without any intentional training from their owners
– Cats can play fetch like dogs but probably not for the same reasons
– Yes, some cats like to play fetch. It’s science!